Gypsophila plant named ‘Esmamerica’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Gypsophila plant named ‘Esmamerica’, characterized by its erect and straight flowering stems; freely flowering habit; luminous white-colored flowers arranged in symmetrical compound cymes; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Gypsophila hybrida cultivar Esmamerica.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Gypsophila plant, botanically known as Gypsophila hybrida, grown commercially as a cut flower, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Esmamerica’.

The new Gypsophila is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador. The objective of the program is to create new Gypsophila cultivars with luminous white-colored flowers and straight stems.

The new Gypsophila originated from a cross-pollination made in August, 1999, in a controlled environment in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador, of a proprietary Gypsophila selection identified as Line 33, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary Gypsophila selection identified as Line 19, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Gypsophila was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled environment in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador.

Asexual reproduction of the new Gypsophila by cuttings taken at El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador since May, 2000, has shown that the unique features of this new Gypsophila are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Esmamerica’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Esmamerica’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Erect and straight flowering stems.

2. Freely flowering habit.

3. Luminous white-colored flowers arranged in symmetrical compound cymes.

4. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the new Gypsophila can be compared to plants of the female parent selection, Line 33. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador, plants of the new Gypsophila differed from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

1. Flowering stems of plants of the new Gypsophila were more erect than flowering stems of plants of the female parent selection.

2. Plants of the new Gypsophila had larger flowers than plants of the female parent selection.

3. Flowers of plants of the new Gypsophila were more luminous than flowers of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Gypsophila can be compared to plants of the male parent selection, Line 19. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador, plants of the new Gypsophila differed from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

1. Flowering stems of plants of the new Gypsophila were more erect than flowering stems of plants of the male parent selection.

2. Plants of the new Gypsophila had larger flowers with more petals per flower than plants of the male parent selection.

3. Flowers of plants of the new Gypsophila were more luminous than flowers of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Gypsophila can also be compared to plants of the cultivar Dangypmini, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,964. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador, plants of the new Gypsophila differed from plants of the cultivar Dangypmini in the following characteristics:

1. Flowering stems of plants of the new Gypsophila were more erect and stronger than flowering stems of plants of the cultivar Dangypmini.

2. Plants of the new Gypsophila were more vigorous and produced more flowering stems per year than plants of the cultivar Dangypmini.

3. Plants of the new Gypsophila had longer internodes than plants of the cultivar Dangypmini.

4. Plants of the new Gypsophila had larger flowers with fewer petals per flower than plants of the cultivar Dangypmini.

The cultivar Esmamerica has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Gypsophila, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Gypsophila.

The larger photograph comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering stem of ‘Esmamerica’ with developing flowers.

The inserted photograph is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘Esmamerica’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The aforementioned photograph, following observations and measurements describe 18-week old plants grown in an outdoor nursery in El Quinche, Pichincha, Ecuador. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 11 to 28° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5 to 11° C. Plants were pinched about five weeks after planting.

Botanical classification: Gypsophila hybrida cultivar Esmamerica.

Commercial classification: Cut flower Gypsophila.

Parentage:

Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary Gypsophila hybrida selection identified as Line 33, not patented.

Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary Gypsophila hybrida selection identified as Line 19, not patented.

Propagation:

Type.—By cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—About 16 to 21 days at a temperature of 17 to 25° C.

Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 35 to 42 days at a temperature of 17 to 25° C.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous; developing roots, 158A; fully developed roots, 23D.

Plant description:

Appearance.—Perennial cut flower. Erect and straight flowering stems; inverted triangular form. Freely flowering; many-petalled luminous white-colored flowers arranged in symmetrical and moderately dense compound cymes. Vigorous growth habit.

Branching habit.—Freely branching; per plant, about 40 flowering stems produced per year.

Plant height.—About 117 cm.

Plant width.—About 36 cm.

Flowering stem description.—Length: About 112 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Internode length: About 9.3 cm. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture: Glabrescent. Color: 143A.

Foliage description.—Arrangement: Opposite, decussate, simple; sessile. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Length: About 7.8 cm. Width: About 1 cm. Texture: Glabrous, smooth; waxy. Venation pattern: Parallel. Color: Developing and fully expanded leaves, upper surface: 137A to 137B. Developing and fully expanded leaves, lower surface: 137A to 137B. Venation, upper and lower surfaces: 138B.

Flowering description:

Appearance.—Symmetrical and hemispherical compound cymes with numerous many-petalled luminous white-colored flowers, flowers rotate. Freely flowering, about 126 flowers per inflorescence. Flowers face mostly upright to slightly outwardly.

Flowering response.—In Ecuador, plants flower year round. Plants begin flowering about 12 to 13 weeks after pinching.

Post-production longevity.—As a cut flower, flowers last for about 10 to 12 days. Flowers persistent.

Fragrance.—Sweet, pleasant.

Inflorescence height.—About 12.5 cm.

Inflorescence width.—About 10.5 cm.

Flower bud.—Shape: Somewhat globose. Length: About 1.9 mm. Diameter: About 1.9 mm. Color: Towards the base, 155B; mid-section, 138B; towards the apex, 182A.

Flower diameter.—About 8.2 mm.

Flower depth (height).—About 5 mm.

Petals/petaloids.—Quantity per flower: About 26 arranged in about ten clusters; clusters fused at base. Shape: Oval to spatulate. Apex: Obtuse, blunt, emarginate. Margin: Entire. Length: About 4.5 mm. Width: About 1.9 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous; waxy. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Closest to 155B, luminous; color becoming closer to 158B with development. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Closest to 155B.

Sepals.—Quantity per flower: About five. Shape: Roughly elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Calyx length: About 2.3 mm. Calyx diameter: About 3 mm. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Towards the base, 155B; mid-section, 138B; towards the apex, 182A.

Peduncle.—Strength: Moderately strong. Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 1.3 mm. Angle: About 54° from vertical. Texture: Smooth. Color: 137C.

Pedicels.—Strength: Weak. Length: About 5.5 mm. Diameter: About 0.25 mm. Angle: About 45° from vertical. Texture: Smooth. Color: 144C.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About nine. Anther shape: Reniform to globose. Anther size: Diminutive. Anther color: 155B to 161C. Pollen: Scarce. Pollen color: 155B to 161C. Pistils: Quantity per flower: About two. Style length: About 5.4 mm. Style color: 155B. Pistil length: About 7.2 mm. Stigma color: 155B. Ovary color: 144C.

Seed/fruit development.—Seed and fruit development has not observed.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Gypsophila have been observed to be resistant to leaf miners and “damping-off” pathogens. Plants of the new Gypsophila have not been observed to be resistant to other pathogens and pests common to Gypsophilas. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gypsophila plant named ‘Esmamerica’, as illustrated and described. 